Posts belonging to Category Hawaii Agriculture

Educational Workshop with Drs. Dale Woerner and Keith Belk from Colorado State University.

The annual educational seminar for food service professionals and culinary students at the 2016 Taste of the Hawaiian Range featured “Beef Carcass Butchering and Product Valuation” by Drs. Dale Woerner and Keith Belk of Colorado State University. The 1.5-hour, free presentation is conveniently available for viewing in five video segments on this blog page.

The seminar illustrates and describes how a half-beef carcass—the chuck and round primals—are butchered into products while the characteristic of each product is shared. The presenters also detail how to best utilize the primals to get the most value from the animal carcass.

Chuck products covered include brisket; flank, skirt and flat iron steaks; short ribs and new, innovative cuts like the clod heart or ranch steak. Lean and similar in consistency to a sirloin, the clod heart steak is sourced from the front leg of the steer and is a flavorful, inexpensive cut.

In addition to sharing details about the round primal, the presentation delves into factors influencing the overall desirability of beef and tips to best achieve them: tenderness, specific meat color, flavor and juiciness.

Dr. Belk is the Monfort Endowed Chair in Meat Science at the Center for Meat Safety & Quality, and has been a buyer for Safeway and the Colorado State Meat Extension Specialist. An associate professor, Dr. Woerner is an expert in fresh meat quality, pre-harvest management of beef for quality meat production, meat cookery, instrument assessment of meat products, fresh meat shelf life and innovative carcass fabrication.

A new video detailing the reasons why eight Hawai‘i Island food producers work to feed our island and choose an agrarian way of life was shared at the 2016 Taste.

Screened on several monitors throughout the event, the footage offered interviews filmed on location at Palani Ranch in Kailua-Kona, Double D Ranch in Laupahoehoe, KK Ranch in Laupahoehoe, Kuahiwi Ranch in Na‘alehu, Parker Ranch in Waimea, Hawaiian Hogs in Waimea, plus Best Farms and Robb Farms at Lalamilo Farmlots in Waimea.

For ease in online viewing, the video was split into seven, shorter segments; each one is about 1.5 to 2 minutes long. We share a sneak preview for each video; find their links below and tune in!

According to Palani’s president Britt Craven, the Kailua-Kona Ranch has been in operation for six generations as a cow-calf operation (calves are sold for finishing on the Mainland) while providing 100 head annually for local consumption.

Craven says Palani’s ranching family “loves what they do and the land” that’s entrusted in their care from previous generations.

“It’s about cattle ranching and that tradition, that heritage, of carrying it forward,” he emphasizes. “We’re stoked how the public has embraced locally produced proteins and vegetables and hope that continues…”

Joanna Nobriga feels its important for her children to be raised on a ranch as she says “they become better people knowing the amount of hard work they have to do on a day-to-day basis… just to maintain what we have on the ranch.”

She and husband Darcy raise cattle, sheep, hogs and hearts of palm in Laupahoehoe, plus goats in Puako. A fourth generation operation, Nobriga admits there’s always work to do and she and her husband can never leave the ranch to take a vacation together.

However, she prefers the ranch setting. “Where else can we go and have a beautiful office like this?” she asks.

Jason Moniz and his family ranch 750 mother cows and their calves on 5,200 acres of leasehold land on the northeast slopes of Mauna Kea near Honoka‘a. Moniz says it was “hard work” to get the pasture to the condition it is today.

KK Ranch markets calves different ways for finishing on the Mainland and keeps 30-40 head “home” annually for finishing locally. Moniz says his family got into ranching for a “second income,” as he had the background and education for it. In addition, it was something the family could do together.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but I find it enjoyable having the family close…especially the days we spend together on the ranch,” he shares.

Siblings Michelle and Guy Galimba, who grew up in the dairy industry, oversee 1,600 cattle on 9,000 acres in Na‘alehu. The animals are predominately sold to the local market, providing 900 head a year for island consumption. In operation since 1993, Kuahiwi sprawls on former sugar cane land.

“We’re raising our kids in the industry,” notes Michelle. “When you buy local beef you’re supporting local working families who take care of the land.” Guy adds, “Every day is different and can be frustrating, but I love what I do.”

Jason Van Tassell came to work in 2014 on a new grass-finishing beef program at the sprawling Waimea ranch in partnership with Ulupono Initiative. He says the program allows the ranch “to use good quality forage on the ranch” to finish animals locally. Sold as the Paniolo Cattle Company brand, the grass-finished beef has received good feedback, he says.

Brought up around horses and cattle all his life, Van Tassell cherishes watching cattle in the pasture and all facets of ranching, saying it’s not just a livelihood, but a life choice.

He adds, “I am really satisfied when I see an animal reach its full potential and end up in a restaurant or supermarket with our label on it. When I walk past that meat, I’m proud of what that product looks like.”

Hawaiian Hogs

A second-generation hog farmer in Waimea, Lloyd Case has 600 pigs, including 300 feral hogs. His son has shown an interest in taking over the farm someday and he hopes that happens.

“I call it a labor of love,” he grins. “We don’t really get rich and it’s one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever do. But it’s in my blood.”

Case’s typical workday begins at 2 a.m. He picks up the discarded food waste from local hotels, cooks it and feeds it to the pigs. Then he checks all his feral traps and brings the captured animals to the farm, getting home around 5:30 p.m. Other jobs include de-worming the feral pigs and caring for them until they are sold to local restaurants who appreciate their “wild” flavor.

Explaining the importance of food sustainability, Case notes the Big Island produces superior quality food—beef, pork and vegetables. “We take care of our animals, that’s one thing that makes a difference…we are proud of what we do and what we raise.”

A third generation farmer, Earl Yamamoto of Best Farms said it takes “years” to create good, arable land and due to varied terrain and rocks, all the land can’t readily be utilized. Chris Robb of Robb Farms feels the scarcity of good farm and water resources makes farming a challenge.

“The beauty of Lalamilo (Farmlots) is the state had the foresight to utilize the upper Hamakua Ditch to allow us to farm in arid Waimea,” details Robb. He says the convenience of the on-site cooperative allows growers to load shipping containers for transport to nearby Kawaihae Harbor. “We can get our produce to the other islands in 24 hours.”

Regardless of the challenges, Robb finds the positive feedback from consumers gratifying, along with supplying the basic needs for people. “We have accomplished something…we employ people and keep money circulating here in our economy.”

Yamamoto gets satisfaction in watching things grow. “For me, it’s like raising kids or pets. You get a seed and every day you watch it grow until ready for harvest. Every day and every crop is different.

Recycling efforts at the 2016 Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range diverted a whopping 1,456.3 pounds of waste from the landfill. A waste total of 1,513.79 pounds was generated with 96.2 percent of it diverted or “recovered” as compostables, mixed recyclables, HI-5 redemption and food waste that was distributed to local piggeries. The adjacent diagram shows the breakdown of total waste by pounds and percent.

The County of Hawai’i spearheaded the massive Zero Waste effort, which was assisted by students at Kanu o Ka ‘Aina School. Honoka‘a Intermediate/High School and UH-Hilo. Dr. Norman Arancon of the University of Hawai‘i compiled the waste report and supervised the weighing of the waste.

The 21st annual event at Hilton Waikoloa Village proved to hundreds of attendees and participating culinarians that pasture-raised beef tastes good and can be used to make satisfying dishes. A wide variety of beef cuts —everything from tongue to tail—were assigned and prepared at 29 culinary stations, plus pork, lamb, mutton and goat.

A wide variety of meat cuts were used to tantalize attendees.Credit: Fern Gavelek

In addition, there were 40 product/educational displays. Some booths shared tastes of goodies, like honey and balsamic vinegar, while others offered compelling agricultural displays and informational handouts on topics like Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death.

Culinary student component

One of several culinary stations positioned outdoors on the Lagoon Lanai was the Sheraton Kona.Credit: Fern Gavelek

Hawai‘i Community College (HCC) culinary students from both East and West Hawai‘i helped chefs and product booths dish out thousands of tasty samples. They included 21 students and three instructors from West Hawai‘i and 52 students, six graduates and four instructors from East Hawai‘i.

Students also were assigned meat cuts to prepare and serve at their own culinary stations. Hilo students were assigned tripe and served Munudo. “It’s a Mexican stew that’s known as a hangover remedy,” smiled Brian Hirata, chef instructor of culinary arts in Hilo.

Those studying Asian cookery at HCC in Kona prepared Indian Lamb Curry while those in the European class concocted Lamb Shish-Ka-Bobs. Both schools also offered a selection of desserts, including the popular chocolate-dipped cookies by Chef Fernand Guiot’s Kona students.

Educational activities open to all

Luisa Castro of the UH-Hilo College of Continuing Education and Community Service shared info on class offerings such as food preservation.Credit: Fern Gavelek

Pre-gala activities were geared to students and home cooks. The first was a live demonstration, “Beef Carcass Butchering and Product Valuation.” Dr. Dale Woerner and Dr. Keith Belk of Colorado State University showed how a half-beef carcass is butchered into products while sharing the characteristics of each. The well-received demonstration instructed future chefs and food service personnel how to best utilize the whole carcass of pasture-raised cattle. In addition, the presentation was of value to the home cook wanting to learn where beef cuts come from.

Cooking Pasture-Raised Beef 101 Recipes

Students at HCC-Hilo finish banana and chocolate chip cookies with a honey butter drizzle.

HawCC culinary students gather around the educational demo on beef butchering and product valuation.Credit: Jeff Ikeda

Mahalo to the many others who helped make Taste a success! With a mission to provide a venue for sustainable agricultural education and support of locally produced ag products, Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range is rooted in small business participation, sponsorship and in-kind donations. Find a list of the 2016 supporters and participants, details on the Mealani Research Station—where Taste began—plus where to get grass-fed beef on the Big Isle AND recipes, at www.TasteoftheHawaiianRange.com.

The product list ranges from kahili ginger-infused green tea to whole cloves, vanilla extract, naturally dried tropical fruits and locally made fruit butters. Some items are sold under the new Orchid Isle Traders brand.

“We buy local vanilla beans and make our own extract or sell a trio of ready-to-use beans,” shared Martinez, a Cuba native and co-owned of the former Akaka Falls Inn. “We also import items we can’t yet source locally but are valuable to culinarians.

The company’s mission is to create new connections between small Hawai‘i Island growers, processors and artisans, while creating a new, web-based outlet for markets beyond our shores.

Martinez shares Orchid Isle is “looking for local growers of cardamom, cumin and other select spices. Website is in the works, www.orchidisletraders.com.

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death

Cut trunk of an infected ‘oh‘ia showing the dark starburst-like staining pattern of the fungus around the outer ring of wood. The xylem or water-conducting cells are located in the outer ring.Credit: J.B. Friday

ʻOhiʻa lehua is Hawaiʻi’s most abundant native tree and covers more than one million acres throughout the state. The tree is considered the backbone of our native forests, which are a source of fresh drinking and irrigation water. ʻOhiʻa forests are also highly important for forest cover, habitat for native animals and plants, aesthetic beauty, recreation and the perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Over the last half-decade, hundreds of thousands of ʻohiʻa trees across more than 34,000 acres on the Big Isle have been killed by a new disease, locally named Rapid ʻOhiʻa Death (ROD).

“Caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fimbriata, the disease kills ʻohiʻa trees by destroying the water-conducting cells and preventing water from reaching the leaves,” says Corie Yanger, ROD Educational/Outreach Specialist at the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. “Once infected, crowns of entire trees turn yellow to brown and then die within days to weeks. Rapid ʻOhiʻa Death is still isolated to Hawaiʻi Island and help is needed to ensure it doesn’t spread.”

Concocting the flavors is Tamar Gilson, Hawaii Balsamics owner, who came up with the product “to make salads more appealing.”

The line of vinegars is sold at the Maku‘u Farmers Market in Kea‘au, Hilo Farmers Market, Kapohokine Adventures in Hilo and online. Find recipes for using the vinegars—like Candied Bacon and Avocado Balsamic Toast— at www.paradise.hawaiibalsamics.com.

FarmWorks Hawaii

Diana Duff founded FarmWorks HawaiiCredit: FarmWorks Hawaii

Have you just bought property and wonder what you can grow best at your new location? Need guidance choosing crop insurance or attaining organic certification? FarmWorks Hawaii can help.

Comprised of a team of four women, each with at least 10 years of agriculture experience, FarmWorks provides a range of consulting services covering a broad range of topics. Find out how to get a farm started or improve a working farm.

“After selling my farm, I decided I wanted to do some advising and so opened FarmWorks Hawaii,” shared Diana Duff, who writies a Sunday ag/gardening column in West Hawaii Today. She grew coffee, banana and salad greens on her farm. “I had so much experience, and enjoy helping others, so figured it would be a good fit.”

Others soon decided they had something to contribute and asked to join the mix. The team includes livestock and acquaculture expert Sara Moore; organic cacao farmer Melanie Bondera, who is experienced at grant writing, business plans, co-op forming and organic certification; and crop advisor Kathy Fleming, a landscape designer, coffee and tumeric farmer.

Launched nearly a year ago, FarmWorks can guide clients in securing USDA funding opportunities, working with other agricultural agencies and dealing with Kamehameha Schools. Get advice on including all kinds of livestock into your farm and how to find volunteer workers, interns or agricultural apprentices. For info, visit www.farmworkshawaii.com.

One Island Sustainable Living helps spread the word about locally produced products by facilitating ways to connect local food producers with those who market, prepare and consume that food.

“One part of our non-profit mission is to foster food systems transformation,” says Marcy Montgomery, founder and director. “Our goal is to assist local communities in reclaiming their local food systems. We work with partners from agriculture, health and wellness, local schools and the food service industry.”

Those partners include farmers markets, grocers and restaurants, chefs and consumers.

Low Income Families and Seniors Double It!

Same Canoe Coupon Book Winner for dinner at Redwater Cafe

For example, a recent Same Canoe Local Food Challenge hooked up 552 SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program) households with farmers and fresh produce through a Double It! Campaign. Funded by the USDA during April 2015-March 2016, the pilot project’s goal was to double fresh and local food purchases by low-income families and seniors.

In the works is a new Same Canoe Local Food Challenge initiative to introduce ways to grow, prepare and preserve five key canoe crops: breadfruit, taro, sweet potato, coconut and banana. With plans to start in January 2017, the Challenge will take place in five Big Isle districts in conjunction with local farms, farmers markets, grocers, restaurants and cafés. Consumers can attend demonstrations on growing and preparing the crop, tastings, farm tours and hands-on workshops.

Connecting Food with Health

Also on the horizon is a Food and Health Intersection Project that will foster a collaboration among local health clinics and practioners, the Hawai‘i Island Food Basket, grocers, restaurants, farmers and farmers markets.

“We are responding to the need for connecting food to health in this project,” details Montgomery. “It’s an outcome of the interests of local food consumers and partnering organizations, such as health clinics, the local food bank and agricultural organizations.”

Montgomery says One Island is re-launching a chef survey to collect data about potential local demand for locally produced food.

“To date, the only data available about our island food usage is the amount and types of food imported,” notes Montgomery. “That’s only part of the picture. We want to know what specific products local chefs and food buyers want to source from local growers.”

She adds the project’s goal is to share the survey data with farmers to spur an increase in production where needed.

Also in the works is a new, 2016 edition of One Island’s local food coupon book with discounts from local restaurants and grocers. Book buyers pay a small fee to purchase the book and then redeem the discounts. Books will be sold by local non-profits and select retailers.

“ I think what One Island specializes in is building food system partners and consumer awareness of the multiple benefits of supporting the local food economy,” shares Montgomery. “There are direct health, economic and environmental benefits we all can enjoy from strengthening the local food system and decreasing reliance on imported food. “

Keep abreast on all One Island’s food initiatives at www.oneisland.org. There’s also a link on the home page to subscribe to the lively “Same Canoe” monthly newsletter.